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Chosen

Chosen

Words of Faith 1-7-2020

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2020

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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    1 Peter 1

           [1b]  To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, [2] who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

  

      Do you remember how special it felt to be chosen?  Maybe as a child, the teacher chose you to clean the erasers, a highly trusted position.  Or you were selected to read in Sunday School or lead the pledge to the flag, to be on the student council, or just to be on the kickball team?   Or maybe you were chosen for a leading dramatic role or recruited for an athletic team.  

       It does not matter.  Big or small, young or old, when we are chosen, it is a special moment that says, "Someone wants me!  I have something to offer!  I am valued!"  Peter says that we have that special moment every day. 

       You are chosen by God.  We sometimes struggle with this because we are so stubbornly independent.  An understanding of our free will is essential, to be sure. The Gospel instructs us to call people to make a decision for Christ as we invite people to choose to serve the Lord.  We call people to choose holy living as we choose to be disciples.  Joshua said: "Choose this day whom you will serve."   But bottom line, don't miss the mystery, you are chosen.  You were known by the Father before you were born.  He picked you for His team.

          You are chosen to be sanctified, that is, made holy.  You are not made holy by your choice. You are not made righteous by your works or your obedience or your right decisions, as important as they are.  You are made holy by His Spirit through the sprinkling of blood.  This is all the stuff that He does for you.  You are being sanctified for obedience, not as a result of obedience.   You are being sanctified so that you CAN be obedient.  You are being sanctified by Jesus Christ and His blood alone.  Feel special?  Humbled?  I do.   

          Now.  The greeting makes sense... Grace and peace be yours in abundance.  God is in control.  You have been purchased, redeemed.  And you are being sanctified.  Today, you are given the freedom and power to be obedient.  Grace be yours.  Peace be yours.  Do you feel the wind of the Spirit in those words?  No matter the struggle you face.  No matter the difficulty you bear.  God is in control.  He is at work.  You are free to obey.  Grace and peace be yours. 

 

 

          Thank You, precious Jesus.  Thank You and praise You.  You have made the way for me to walk close to my heavenly Father.  Thank You for choosing me so that I might choose You.  You have purchased me, and Your Holy Spirit is making me holy.  I rest today in Your grace